WinterBench Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Hi all, I was invited for a 189 visa and have just recently submitted my application. I enrolled in Medicare as well and have received my number. My interim card will be arriving in a few weeks. Is it all right for me to cancel my private health insurance with Bupa? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulhand Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 You need to comply with whatever conditions are on your currently in effect visa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinterBench Posted October 12, 2020 Author Share Posted October 12, 2020 (edited) 2 minutes ago, paulhand said: You need to comply with whatever conditions are on your currently in effect visa. I am on the 485 visa which does require me to be on appropriate health insurance. Already cancelled my private one. Will have to call Bupa up to remain on it. Thanks Paul Edited October 12, 2020 by WinterBench Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mt9754 Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Medicare doesn't cover much at all (compared to the NHS for example) - I wouldn't cancel Bupa without doing some research. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 3 hours ago, mt9754 said: Medicare doesn't cover much at all (compared to the NHS for example) - I wouldn't cancel Bupa without doing some research. On the contrary, Medicare covers most things. In fact, you could say that private health doesn't cover much - because it covers exactly the same hospital procedures as Medicare. It just allows you to be treated by private specialists instead of waiting on the public waiting lists. A person who is used to the NHS wouldn't have any problem with Medicare hospital treatment because it's the same as the NHS - similar wards, similar waiting lists for elective surgery. If you're the kind of person who preferred to go private in the UK, you should get private health insurance in Australia too. Where Medicare and the NHS differ are in prescriptions, and optical and dental. But the private health insurance available to 189 holders does not cover prescriptions, or optical, or dental. You can get an "Extras" cover separately, which covers you for optical and dental. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mt9754 Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 When i noticed Medicare didn’t cover dental, the ambulance to take you to hospital and only covered some of the other fees I have to admit i didn’t look any closer, I will look into it some more, maybe i can reel in my hospital cover! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 8 hours ago, mt9754 said: When i noticed Medicare didn’t cover dental, the ambulance to take you to hospital and only covered some of the other fees I have to admit i didn’t look any closer, I will look into it some more, maybe i can reel in my hospital cover! Your Extras policy covers the stuff that Medicare doesn’t cover. You can get all essential hospital treatment free of charge under Medicare. Private health just lets you choose your specialist and skip the waiting lists. Like i said, the waiting lists are no worse than those on the NHS, so if you were happy with NHS hospital treatment, there’s no need for high private hospital cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetBlast Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 One thing to consider is the Medicare Surcharge Levy. If you earn more thank $100k you may need to pay this. If you have private health you don’t. You might be financially better off taking our private cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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